More than half of Pharmacists claim shortages in medicines have "significantly increased", while 78 per cent still expect the situation to worsen over the next 12 months.
A survey, conducted between March and April, by the Irish Pharmacy Union revealed 83 per cent borrow stock from other pharmacies to ensure continuity of care.
Pharmacists and their teams now spending over 6 hours per week managing shortages
The Irish Pharmacy Union said the impact of shortages is complex, and has the potential to affect the care and well-being of patients.
Results of a survey of IPU members has been launched at its annual National Pharmacy Conference in Kilkenny.
The IPU said there are medicine shortages in key therapeutic areas such as hormone replacement therapy, weight loss management and in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
More than 300 community pharmacists responded to the survey which was conducted between March and April this year.
Results show more than half (57%) said there was a persistently high rate of medicine shortages, with forty or more cases of shortages experienced by them in the past four months, which is unchanged from 2024.
While 57% said shortages had "significantly increased" and more than three quarters of respondents said they expect the situation to worsen in the coming year.
Many pharmacists said their "labour-intensive efforts" to manage the shortages which includes sourcing other alternatives, contacting prescribers and borrowing stock from colleagues often goes "unrecognised and unremunerated".
The IPU has called for "immediate action" and for the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 to be expediated.
It will, it says, allow for the Medicines Substitution Protocols (MSPs) which will give pharmacists the opportunity to substitute medicines in case of shortages.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will address pharmacists at the conference this afternoon.
It is expected the issue of the contentious HRT drug scheme that is due to come into effect on 1 June will be discussed.
It is unclear yet how many community pharmacists have signed up to the scheme, which the IPU has not fully endorsed.
